Dak Prescott has a message for Bryce Young after the former No. 1 pick was benched in Carolina

It’s been a rough start to the season for the 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young who was benched by Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Caneles on Monday in favor of backup veteran Andy Dalton.

Despite it catching Young off guard, he took the professional route in saying that he understands that the decision makers have to do what is best for the team at the end of the day.

“Not something that I was necessarily expecting,” Young said, according to Sports Illustrated. “And obviously not something that was great to hear, but I respect Coach Canales. I respect the organization. Obviously, they made a decision and it’s on me to put them in that situation. Right now, that’s the situation that it is.”

While Dak Prescott can’t relate to being benched eight years through his career, he did say on Thursday that he related to the “damn sure tough times” of being an NFL quarterback and offered some respect towards Young.

“Understanding you’re writing your story, he’s writing his story,” Prescott said. “That’s a young player, and when I say this is the ultimate team game, we’re sometimes as good as the guys that are blocking for us and making catches as well – and, to be frank, calling the plays.”

In the preparation for the Cowboys’ week two matchup against the New Orleans Saints, Prescott scouted the Saints’ week one matchup against the Carolina Panthers. In his evaluation, the problem with Young’s start to his career goes far beyond his control.

“I can say that’s not a one-man problem,” Prescott said. “For him, it’s about understanding that. Control what you can control. Continue to prepare, continue to study hard and keep your head up”

Other former No. 1 overall picks have moved on from the teams that drafted them and evolved into better players. In recent memory, that could be said for Baker Mayfield who has seemingly found a permanent home in Tampa Bay after bouncing around early in his career. Jared Goff made the move to Detroit and has found more success, as well. Prescott encouraged Young on Saturday to remain confident in his future path.

“He’s a young player,” he said. “I’ve seen tons of guys switch systems, switch coaches, whatever it may be, and really start to shine. It’s about really just knowing that he’s gotten to this point by playing a lot of great ball in his career and that didn’t just go away overnight, so stay true to it.”